Chu

Chu was a Chinese kingdom which existed from 1030 to 223 BC and from 209 to 202 BC during the Spring and Autumn Period, the Warring States Period, the Eighteen Kingdoms, and the Chu-Han Contention. It was founded in 1030 BC when Xiong Yi was rewarded with the title Viscount of Chu by the new Zhou dynasty, and he built his capital at Danyang (present-day Xichuan, Henan). After King Zhao of Zhou drowned in 977 BC, the Zhou's southward expansion was halted, allowing for Chu to consolidate its power. In 704 BC, Xiong Tong declared independence from the Zhou as "King of Chu", and it became an expansionist state which often coerced and absorbed its allies. During the Warring States Period, it was threatened by Qin to the west, and, in 241 BC, it allied with Zhao, Wei, Yan, and Han against the expansionist Qin, but the alliance was defeated at the Hangu Pass. In 223 BC, Qin began its Conquest of Chu, and the Chu general Xiang Yan was slain in battle with the Qin general Wang Jian. Qin succeeded in conquering Chu after two expeditions, but the people of Chu launched an insurrection after King Ying Zheng of Qin proclaimed himself "Qin Shi Huangdi", the first Qin emperor. In 209 BC, the Dazexiang Uprising led to the foundation of "Rising Chu" by Chen Sheng, who was soon slain in battle. However, it inspired Jing Ju and Xiang Liang to rebel, and Xiang appointed Xiong Xin his puppet King of Chu. In 206, after the fall of the Qin to Liu Bang, Xiang Yu proclaimed himself "Hegemon-King of Western Chu" and promoted Xiong Xin to "Emperor" before having him assassinated and seizing power. In the ensuing Chu-Han Contention, Xiang Yu and Chu fought against Liu Bang's Han for control of the Eighteen Kingdoms, and Xiang Yu's death at the 202 BC Battle of Gaixia ended Chu and allowed for the Han to unite China.